DIY Tailgate Storage Bin $65
 

I just bought a Smittybilt 5.65 compressor and was having a hell of a time trying to find a place to mount it, I was contemplating how to mount it to the tailgate when I had an idea that might be useful to most jeepers regardless of compressor mounting needs.
Attachment 543558
Materials
-1x 10’ 6” steel stud deep track, $6 Found it a drywall supplier (deep means its 2” thick)
-1x 24” x 60” bungee Cargo net, $15, Canadian Tire
-1x roll auto body repair tape, $3, CT
-1x pack of ¼”plastic cable clamps $3, CT
-1x rattle can of primer $5
-2x Spray on Bedliner $30
-Rivets, Self tapping screws and some small washers, a few $ if you don’t have ‘em, ps I got a Rivet gun @ CT for $8 on sale
The Build
Cut your steel track into 4 pieces, 2 @ 28” and 2 @ 13”, this is for a Jk without a subwoofer, so do your due diligence and measure your rig 1st. Do your best to keep your cuts clean and straight, but if your just using shears like me then it will look like an abortion, no worries that’s what the tape is for, just bend the edges in slightly so the tape will be flat.
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Assemble the box, and measure diagonally in both directions to make sure it is square, clamp the corners, drill and rivet. Do one in each corner, then flip and resquare it and rivet the back, I went 1/2” from the edges, and had two rivets in each corner on a 45*. I’m confused about that last sentence and I’m the guy that wrote it, hopefully the pictures make it clearer.
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Attachment 543557

more to follow, over

For the cargo net I drilled holes in the sides 9”, 5” and ¾” from the bottom and ¾” from the edge. For the bottom I drilled 7”, 14” and 21” from one side and 3/4“ from the bottom. (i didn't get any pics for this, take a look at the finished pic up top and it should make sense) I then riveted the plastic cable clamps in place using washers.
I drilled a few drain holes in the bottom as well.
Apply the auto body tape on the corners, I used two layers just take your time and try not to crinkle it.

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Prime it, then bedline it. I started on the inside 1st, do several light coats and get some extra on the corners to hide the edge of the tape.
Cut your net to fit and lace your bungee through the clamps, make it pretty then tie a reef knot in it. I left extra bungee after the knot in case I ever blow out a plastic clamp or want to adjust the tension.

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Pop off the plastic doo-hickey on your tailgate, and get a buddy to hold the unit in place so that the top edge is just under the rounded surface of the tail gate, fire in some self tappers, and light up a victory smoke.
If you are mounting an AC in yours, find a scrap piece of sheet metal and rivet it in place to beef up one end of your unit and drill your mounting holes prior to painting. Also run your wiring before installing the bin.

Great idea! Thanks for sharing.

DIY storage bin
 

That's Cool. I think my wife would like something like that. Great job! :beer: